Simplifying the regulatory landscape and increasing circularity among the priorities to achieve sustainable packaging goals, according to industry leaders
Specialists from across the UK sustainable packaging industry and supply chain gathered to discuss the future of the sector as part of Packaging News’ 2026 Sustainability and Impact Summit on 14 July.
Much of the discussion focused around navigating a complex legislative landscape caused by the introduction of legislation such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT).
During a panel hosted by Martin Kersh, CEO of the Packaging Federation, speakers highlighted a growing compliance burden on producers around collecting and reporting increasingly detailed packaging data.
Louisa Goodfellow, policy manager at environmental compliance company Ecosurety, called for a single, aligned apporach to packaging data requirements across existing and forthcoming legistlation.
“Combining and aligning all of the different regulatorollay alignments including the upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) would make things a huge amount simpler and more accessible for producers, so there is no endless cycle of data submissions,” she said.
Panellists agreed this would require greater communication and transparency across the supply chain, particuarly around sharing data on physical characteristics packaging. Several panellists noted that progress was already being made in this area.
Denise Mathieson, a packaging industry consultant, also urged greater clarity and consistency across the supply chain. “It’s really hard for the producers to work out what changes need to happen. There’s a huge cost that goes alongside that complexity,” she said.
Dimitra Rappou, executive director of sustainable products at the Confederation of Paper Industries, argued that small thresholds for EPR and PPT should be reviewed. Meanwhile, Paldeep Bhatti, director of research and policy at the Industry Council for Packaging and Environment (INCPEN) called for EPR funding to be visibly invested in UK recycling facilities.
Circular economy remains a long-term priority
Driving the transition to a circular economy was another hot topic that dominated panels throughout the day, with businesses looking to long-term solutions particularly via reuse and refill systems.
Julie Elder, sustainability programme manager at paper and packaging manufacturer Smurfit Westrock, outlined how the company applied circular economy principles across the entire lifecycle of their fibre-based packaging.
Using a blueberry punnet as an example, she highlighted the importance of design-level considerations such as using water-based coatings to improve moisture resistance. Reducing product weight, replacing materials with fibre-based alternatives, and reusing fibres repeatedly to expand lifespan were also important commitments, she said.
“We are using the design functionality to not only help us with the recyclability process but allow our customers to be compliant with the regulations as well.
“Customers are absolutely central to our business. We make sure that we look to the customers, and the needs of every single product, and we make sure it is fit for purpose. Because if it is not fit for purpose it will not work in the marketplace and it will not work in the environment.”
However, Elder echoed previous points that regulatory uncertainty is slowing investment and decision-making around circularity. “What we are seeing is that decisions cannot be made or will not be made until the regulations have more clarity, or until compliance is necessary,” she continued.
Industry questions pace of net-zero progress
Audience polling suggested many attendees did not believe the packaging industry is currently on track to meet the UK’s 2030 carbon reduction target to cut emissions by 68 per cent.
According to Sonia Sánchez Torres, senior managing consultant at sustainability consultancy Oakdene Hollins and plastic sustainability charity Recoup, the UK had achieved a 53 per cent reduction in 2024, leaving six years to reduce a further 15 per cent touch point gap.
Liam Barbary, company director at Benchmark Consulting, suggested that events such as the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical instability had diverted attention away from sustainability priorities.
“My advice would be to get consistent processes for price adjustment systems, which means making sure price levels can follow that market through so it’s not disrupting the entire business despite commercial disruption,” he said.
Supply chain collaboration key to success
Despite concerns, speakers agreed that the success of future packaging policy will depend on continued collaboration between government and industry.
Several panelists pointed to the UK Packaging Pact, launched by environmental NGO Wrap in April 2026, as a potential vehicle for action. The summit took place following the recent appointment of retailers Tesco and M&S to be among the leaders of the pact.
The 10-year agreement brings together over 100 organisations including brands, retailers and governments, with the aim of eliminating unnecessary single-use packaing to accerlerate the transition to a circular economy.
